The Sistine Chapel by Takashi Okamura, Includes Signed Print, 1 of 100

The Sistine Chapel by Takashi Okamura and Frederick Hartt

First Edition, Deluxe Edition, 1991, Limited to 100 Copies with Print

Includes Separate Signed Print by Takashi Okamura

FINE Condition

This is a very rare deluxe first edition, first printing of Takashi Okamura’s critically acclaimed photobook “The Sistine Chapel” published by Alfred A. Knopf in association with Nippon Television Network Corporation in 1991 with a limitation of 2500 this being number 160 and only 1 of 100 issued with a separate original color print signed by Takashi Okamura. An elegant production that contains over 600 stunning photographs, the books were published to commemorate the restoration of Michelangelo's masterpiece, paintings and frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Michael Kimmelman in his New York Times essay, “Finding God in a Double Foldout” wrote, “These photographs document Michelangelo's increasing mastery over the technique of fresco painting, the logic of the use of high-key color to sculpture the figures and to render them vivid to a viewer looking from the floor more than 60 feet below in a chapel that the artist presumed would be illuminated only by natural light and candlelight. They are confirmation that the restoration process was in the end a triumph." Pope Paul II commented, “It would be difficult to find a more eloquent visual commentary on this biblical image than the Sistine Chapel, whose full splendour we can enjoy today thanks to the recently completed restoration. Our joy is shared by the faithful throughout the world, who not only cherish this place because of the masterpieces it contains, but also for the role it plays in the Church's life.” Cardinal Edmund Szoka, governor of Vacticon City, added, “This restoration and the expertise of the restorers allows us to contemplate the paintings as if we had been given the chance of being present when they were first shown."

Containing over 600 spectacular color photographs including a double foldout that is one and a half feet high by almost four feet wide, detailing the image of God creating the sun and the moon, the set consists of an elephant folio in two volumes that measure 17” x 12”.  The books are bound in beige linen covered boards with gilt and burgundy titling labels on the spines and housed in a matching beige cloth slip case with color photo plates on both side panels. Included with the set is a signed original color print by Takashi Okamura. There were only 100 sets issued with the photograph which measures 11.5” x 8.5” and is signed by Takashi Okamura in both English and Kanji. The books, slipcase, and photograph are in FINE condition with no flaws other than a few faint smudges to the slipcase and the volume spines. Overall, this is an exceptional copy of an incredible production that is becoming increasingly scarce.

Photographs of the books and slipcase, signed photograph, and examples of photographs contained in the books appear below. Please note that although the photographs appear digitized as thumbnails, they are viewable in the photo viewer clicking the thumbnail.